The teenager laughed at Arrin's joke. “Touché.” She put the money away. “Would you like a receipt, sir?”

“No need.”

“Okay. You’re in room sixteen. Around the corner on the left.” The teen pointed in the general direction of the room before retreating to the back room, popping her gum as she went.

Arrin followed the girl’s directions and found the room easily enough, but he had a little trouble using the metal key. First he tried to put it in upside down, which made him feel stupid and also glad no one was around to witness his idiotic blunder. He put the key in right side up, and turned it the wrong direction. He sighed with frustration, unused to being incompetent. He turned the key in the right direction and the door swun...

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